NDGAA's Fun in the Sun 2007
Article by Wendy Booth

National Dog Groomers Association proudly presented its 22^nd “FUN IN THE SUN” Seminar, Competition and Trade Show at the lovely Radisson Resort at The Cape in Cape Canaveral, Florida Oct 26 thru 28^th, 2007.  Exhibitors, speakers, judges and groomers from all over our continent gathered for fun, education, competition, shopping sprees, certification and yes, camaraderie.

What a fabulous start to the weekend with Sarah Hawks’, NCMG and her standing-room-only seminar, “The Long & Short on Terriers.” Sarah uncovered and styled many terriers, answering questions and sharing shortcuts with in-depth explanations involving tuck-ups, angles and planes.

The Oster Career Start Grooming Contest was held on Friday evening. The pressure was on these “newbies” as their first competition began in a room packed with onlookers. This is such a fun contest, as the Oster Ambassadors calm these new groomers and head them off to a fun, educational contest. Everyone leaves a winner as each competitor receives lots of good loot from Oster just for competing. Frank Lawson of Wilton Manor, FL took first place in the fun competition. Congratulations, Frank!

As the Grand Ballroom opened Saturday morning, Show Season’s Terrier Tournament was well on its way. It was amazing to see all three competition divisions so busy stripping and styling. The trade show was packed with exhibitors galore. Upon entering the show, all attendees were given free water bottles and shopping bags compliments of Kenic/Glo-Mar products. Thank you Glo-Mar!!! The shopping bags left full and bulging, guaranteed!

The Oster Academy booth presented many 15-20 minute mini-demos over the weekend, covering Terrier profiles and Portuguese Water Dogs.  At the Kenchii Shear booth, Jay Scruggs presented brief breed demos throughout the weekend.

Ms. Nancy Ward presented her classroom lecture on “Time to Divorce That Client” to a packed room of enthusiastic groomers wanting that helpful information.  Ms. Marea Tully’s classroom lecture “Shop Tips to Save Time & Money” was well attended.  Back by popular demand, Sue Zecco, NCMG & Jay Scruggs presented  “Subtle Changes… Outstanding Results.” In the class, they take a few competition dogs who didn’t place; then show how slight changes  could have made a difference. This class is so popular that it was repeated Sunday afternoon, again to standing room only!  Ms. Carol Kokkler, NCMG presented a fun demo on “The Poodlington Trim.” She took a well grown out poodle and carved in a fun trim creating a “counterfeit Beddlington” for all to see.

The Show Season Terrier Tournament opened our Saturday show. In Division C, Karen Nash took 1^st Place with her hand-stripped Cairn Terrier;  Sonia Hollnagel took 1^st in Division B with her Scottie and Lindsey Berry, NCMG won Division A with her Westie.

Several shining winners evolved from Saturday’s “All Other Purebreeds” competition sponsored by TechnoGroom. In Division C, Angelia Browning won 1^st Place with a Bichon; Tuesday Cook, NCMG won Division B with a Brussels Griffon and Lindsey Berry, NCMG won Division A with a Bichon Frise.

The afternoon’s  Wag’n Tails Sporting Tournament winners were  Dorien Armentrout in Division C with an American Cocker Spaniel. Division B winner was Sandra Phillips, NCMG with an English Cocker Spaniel and Lindsey Berry, NCMG won Division A with her English Cocker Spaniel. It was awesome to see these competition dogs evolve to beautiful breed profile work.

Saturday night was full of fun activities and began with our popular gathering, “Grooming Tools for Eternity – Dematting the Soul.” National Dog Groomers also offered their Mini Workshop Certification program, with testing to follow on Monday. The evening proved rather “ghoulish” as the annual Halloween Party wrapped up the days fun. Free hors d’oeurves, a cash bar and dance music with a DJ was enjoyed by hundreds “dressed” for this fun costume party. By the way, nice costumes -- and they just keep getting better!

Sunday’s Grand Ballroom held the Andis Poodle Tournament. The competition ring was FULL with poodles large & small. In Division C, Angela Browning won 1^st place with a standard poodle; Tuesday Cook, NCMG won Division B with a miniature poodle, and  Penny Underhill won Division A with her gorgeous work on a miniature poodle.

The Liz Paul “Best Scissored Poodle” Award was won by Penny Underhill. This is a new award; the winner is chosen from all Division A poodle entries (with all four judges in agreement). Nice job, Penny!

Sunday’s classroom demos began with Donna Carey, NCMG styling the drop-coated breeds & mixes that we see daily; and “Say What...?” by Nancy Ward, shared ways to improve your image just by changing your language.

The Kenchii Shears Mixed/Misc Tournament is a fun contest. First Place winners were Melissa Maslcvar, with a Yorkie mix (Div C);  Sandra Phillips, NCMG with a Wheatidoodle (Div B) and Lindsey Berry, NCMG (Div A) with a Shih Tzu mix.

We want to thank each and every sponsor of our “22^nd Fun In The Sun.” Without sponsor support, the contests wouldn’t be as much fun - or as financially rewarding.  Our class sponsors were “Show Season Terrier Tournament;” TechnoGroom “All Other Purebred Tournament;” “Wag’n Tails” Sporting Tournament; “Andis Poodle Tournament;” and “Kenchii Shears Mixed/Misc Tournament.

The weekend’s grand finale began  with the  “Best All Around Groomer” competition. Division C winner was Angelina Browning, sponsored by Groomer’s Helper. Division B winner was Tuesday Cook, NCMG, sponsored by Blue Ribbon Pet Services and Division A winner was Lindsey Berry, NCMG, sponsored by Double K Industries. NICE JOB, LADIES!!

Finally, the top winning title of “Best In Show” (sponsored by Double K Industries) was awarded to… who else? Ms Lindsey Berry, NCMG.  A JOB WELL DONE, YOUNG LADY!

Competition was fierce and several Awards of Merit were acknowledged. It is safe to say each competitor displayed a lot of talent and had a lot of fun. Encouragement, smiles and hugs were in abundance.  CONGRATULATIONS, COMPETITORS!

Numerous exhibitors held drawings for everything from gallons of shampoo, lovely shears, sharpening service gift certificates, goody baskets, and well …. as you see, there were drawings galore. The biggest drawing of all was from NDGAA – a $500 Door Prize.  This year one of our very own Mobile Members, Penny Nestore [Penny’s Purdy Pets, Port Orange FL] walked away with $500 Cash (that’s 5 Angry Bens in hand!). Bet Penny’s glad she joined NDGAA in time  for “Fun In The Sun”!

As the show came to an end, Groom Team USA held their popular auction, with Chuck Simon of Groomers Helper as auctioneer. This auction is funded through the very generous donations of our exhibitors.  This year, BIG KUDOS TO PET LIFT!! They donated a lovely, stainless steel bathtub which brought top dollar after some fierce bidding.

Mark your calendar and join us May 30-June 1, 2008 as we relocate our “Carolina GroomFest” to Columbia, South Carolina. OH BOY! GroomFest is at another GREAT Radisson Hotel. See you there!?!